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Essentially, a smart consumer would configure with 8-Core 3.2GHz then purchase ALL other options individually? How much could one save?

EDIT: I started with the RAM and obtained CRUCIAL 2GB sticks for $50/each - comes with 2GB - add 3 x 2GB = $1500 APPLE .... $150 ME
EDIT2: 2ND Drive - 500GB Hitachi 7200RPM 500GB = $250 APPLE .... $151 ME
EDIT3: GeForce 8800GT 512MB = $400 APPLE ... $260 ME

Without going further obviously the most obvious choice is the RAM with the others being negligible (you would have to sell the factory graphics card :\ )
Wait, where are you seeing FB-DIMM's for that cheap of a price?

Really? really? crap... I was looking forward to upgrading my MP. I do like the new configurations however. Oh well will just have to use the Radeon still.
That person, is wrong. There are plenty of PC's that are running the 8800GT with no PCIe 2.0 slot. Compatibility is up to the card not the Mobo.
 
Wow look at all the responses to my mistake! You guy's are nasty in these new hardware threads. We geeks are very territorial. :rolleyes:;)
No worries, we (at least I) wasn't trying to be nasty or territorial, it's just you made me nervous that I might order the wrong RAM for my Mac Pro... Secretly I'm hoping that this means the 667mhz RAM will really drop in price so I can get 8GB dirt cheap. <shifty eyes>
 
You are now officially my favorite person on MacRumors. :D

True. Displays do only 60 Frames per second anyway. I have to agree FPS games are harder to play if they get below 60 fps and there's a lot of action. At 30, they're unplayable at normal difficulty levels.

That said, the Mac Pro is not suited for gaming at all. (Neither is the xServer :eek: )
 
I used the Store chat just now and they told me that while the 8800GT 2.0

here is a breif summary

i, my name is Wanda. Welcome to Apple!
#

Wanda: Good afternoon.
#

You: can the 8800GT be purchased for use with the previous Mac Pros? If so how much is it to buy the 8800 on its own
#

Wanda: I'm happy to assist you. The 8800GT works in the PCI Express 2.0 slot. The previous generation Mac Pros have the PCI 1.0 slot, so it will not work in that slot.
#

You: the 2.0 is not backwards compatible?
#

Wanda: 2.0 is backwards compatible, but 1.0 is not frontwards compatible. The prevoius Mac Pro has the 1.0 slot

bs. 1.0 slots are compatible to 2.0 cards and vice versa. unless apple put in some weird protection mechanism, a 8800 gt should work in a mp 1g, provided it is running an operating system including the necessary drivers.
 
No worries, we (at least I) wasn't trying to be nasty or territorial, it just you made me nervous that I might order the wrong RAM for my Mac Pro... Secretly I'm hoping that this means the 667mhz RAM will really drop in price so I can get 8GB dirt cheap. <shifty eyes>

I can get 2GB SO-Dims for 55 Euros right now. Too bad my old Macbook only supports 2 1GB modules, which I have installed. Ah well, it's working fine for what I use it for.
 
Those complaining about the cost of the base Mac Pro and the lack of a cheaper tower should consider that Apple's hardware line since the G3 days has been pretty much the same as it is now: A "consumer-level" machine with no internal expandability (the iMac) and a "pro-level" machine with internal expandability (the Power Mac[intosh] / Mac Pro).*

Huh? That statement is absurd. Check your history. Apple sold PowerMac g4's started as low as $1499 (and you could even configure them lower in some cases). Now to buy a new Macintosh that is internally expandable (which I'll simplify further as just saying has an expansion slot) the entry level is $2799 (or $2299 if you customize it).

While overall computer prices have dropped significantly in that time, Apple has almost doubled what the cost is for the entry internally expandable system.

Up until recently Apple has always had a midrange internally expandable system. Even going back to pre-PowerPC days. The LC's, IIsi, IIcx, IIci all had expansion slots and were NOT the high end systems of the day.

There is nothing wrong with the Mac Pro. It is a fantastic workstation and a fantastic deal at that price. But that doesn't mean we should be content that it should be our only option in wanting a more expandable system.
 
Just got confirmation from the Apple Store online chat. It appears they weren't expecting this question (although I'm kind of surprised - that seems like a pretty key question for the single-cpu build option). If the answer is to be believed, the second CPU is not an upgradeable option, and the two-CPU system must be ordered at the start.

This presumes that the Apple Store Online person is accurate in their information. ;)

I am certainly not saying it can't happen. But all the 5000-series systemboards I have seen for sale come with dual CPU sockets, including the ones offered by Intel, which I believe provides the systemboards to Apple.

So I remain of the opinion that ordering a Mac Pro with a single CPU will result in a machine that will ship with a systemboard with two CPU sockets. But I am not going to be adamant in that opinion. :p
 
overview

okay, let's see at the specs
800Mh DDR2, thought they were starting off with 1333Mhz DDR3 in PC-land
still no support for SLI, strangely enough many of today's PC's support it
big announcement of speed difference between SAS and RAID, how old is SAS anyway and wheren't they exploring the world of SSD?
no BR or HD-DVD, FCP can edit HD but your new MP still can't deliver it (except when purchasing an external drive off course)
still no support for soundcards (at least not inside its housing), didn't Creative develop a soundcard with 64MB of memory three years back?
one full lenght PCI Express x16 slot, how many motherboards have multiple full lenght PCI Express x16 slots nowadays
when you buy the full option (SAS memory, 32GB RAM, Quaddro) you end up with a price difference of 8000 dollars in comparison with the previous model (when fully upgraded), how much do most people pay for their RAM these days? who wants the RADEON but hasn't enough money for the Geforce? why are the prices of the hard drives so expensive in comparison with the same ones in the computershop?
I guess you allready know what I think of the new MP
Apple's investments in hardware in terms of research and development seem to be cut short
grtz
 
8800 GT future tandard?

1. Obviously EVERY new model is faster than its predecessor.

2. Leopard still needs A LOT of refining and updates

3. The standard graphics suck for a pro model.

Obviously they don't get enought 8800GT as the delivery time changes form 3-5 days to 3-5 weeks if you choose that option.
Maybe Apple will drop the ATI 2600 as soon as the 8800GT gets available in shorter delays.
 
well because "it always have been that way it should stay this way" .... so much for "think different" of the old times eh ;)

True, but when Apple controls 17% of the market and not 7%, they can likely be a bit more ambitious in their product line since their total sales volume will be enough to support more products profitably.

I understand where you are coming from in terms of upgrading. I, too, would have preferred the Mac Pro since I have had towers for the past 20 years. But the Al iMac offered enough performance for what I needed at a good enough price point it was too good for me to pass up. If the difference from a 24" iMac and a 23" Mac Pro was $1000 instead of $2000+, I would likely have eaten the difference for the sake of future expandability.

But then, Apple hasn't always been that great about future expandability with the last Mac Pro. Notice how many people here want the new Mac Pro because Apple never offered few new options for the old Mac Pro so they need to buy an entirely new system.
 
I beleive that the "One more thing" announcement at MacWorld will be Blu-Ray support, and all MacPro's that were just released will have a Blu-Ray writer. It is the new "Super Drive" or whatever.

Also, these MacPro's will ship accordingly :D

A Blu-Ray writer would be worth the extra $200 right? I think this is a Sign.

Maybe we'll have the option of Combo, Super, and Ultra Drive with Blu-Ray read/write
 
I don't know a whole lot about the graphic cards, but I get the feeling people are not going to be happy with the ATI 2600 card...

[EDIT] Looks like you can get the 8800 GT card at 512 MB, so that should be fine for most people.

Also, no Blu-Ray...looks like Apple is opting out of the format war still...

Bah - no 8800 gtx and no sli???? And 800 MHz ram - there is 1.33GHz ram on the market now LOL

I am disappointed.

aussie_geek
 
This presumes that the Apple Store Online person is accurate in their information. ;)

I am certainly not saying it can't happen. But all the 5000-series systemboards I have seen for sale come with dual CPU sockets, including the ones offered by Intel, which I believe provides the systemboards to Apple.

So I remain of the opinion that ordering a Mac Pro with a single CPU will result in a machine that will ship with a systemboard with two CPU sockets. But I am not going to be adamant in that opinion. :p

I agree with you 100%. I find it inconceivable that they would support a different motherboard for a single-cpu non-standard build option.

However, trying to get more information has been even less helpful. Speaking with a sales associate on the phone, I was told that no Mac CPU's are upgradable - that would be akin to trying to put a 12-cylinder engine in an 8-cylinder car. My attempts to explain that I know how computers are built and what can and can't be swapped out were met with more bad analogies.

I am almost certain that it's the same board, but am not willing to make a $2000+ gamble on it. Can anyone here recommend someone I can contact who would know for certain?
 
... A "consumer-level" machine with no internal expandability (the iMac) and a "pro-level" machine with internal expandability (the Power Mac[intosh] / Mac Pro)...

This wouldn't be as much of an issue if the iMac were headless. As a gamer, my primary monitor is not just used for the computer, but also has Component inputs for connecting game consoles. A quick search of the iMac forum will show numerous people asking how to connect a console to their iMac. Make the iMac headless and the issue goes away, providing gamers with a reasonable headless Mac that can handle most games.

As it is now, my custom built PC cost me just shy of $1k, a single processor Mac Pro with 2GB RAM and the 8800 runs $2.5k.

A headless iMac with 2GB and some version of the GeForce 8 series could be done for around $1.5 which is a lot more reasonable.
 
Promotion for the local retailer

Essentially, a smart consumer would configure with 8-Core 3.2GHz then purchase ALL other options individually? How much could one save?

EDIT: I started with the RAM and obtained CRUCIAL 2GB sticks for $50/each - comes with 2GB - add 3 x 2GB = $1500 APPLE .... $150 ME
EDIT2: 2ND Drive - 500GB Hitachi 7200RPM 500GB = $250 APPLE .... $151 ME
EDIT3: GeForce 8800GT 512MB = $400 APPLE ... $260 ME

Without going further obviously the most obvious choice is the RAM with the others being negligible (you would have to sell the factory graphics card :\ )

Apple needs the local retailers badly for marketing and service reasons. So it makes completly sense for Apple to announce prices in the Apple store at a level where local retailes can be cheaper (or making some more profit than with other products) just by filling the Mac Pros with RAM and cards they can buy directly.
 
We expect a cutting edge company to use technology above and beyond Compaq.

Now that Apple is using Intel chips, the best Apple can do is just what they did: Announce a new Mac Pro the day after Intel announces a new chip. Apple can't lead, they can only, at best closely follow Intel.

If you want "leading" then they will have to go back to using their own chips but that means "gigabucks" to maintain their own CPU and keep it ahead of Intel. Apple tried the PPC route and found they just did not have the user base to support chip development and fell way behind Intel. On the other hand Sun Microsystems continues to support their SPARC chips but Sun's customers are happy to buy 64 core machines for $200K
 
Half of you "pro" users sound like 10 year olds who didn't get their way.

The pinnacle of this being "I wish they had changed the case design so people would know it's new" (something along those lines).


I can't believe some of you have the nerve to complain. You won't be happy until they offer your desired setup as a "BTO" option that costs as much as a baseline MP. Get over yourselves. Seriously.

Just because Apple doesn't provide it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Jesus no wonder people hate Mac users.
 
Half of you "pro" users sound like 10 year olds who didn't get their way.

The pinnacle of this being "I wish they had changed the case design so people would know it's new" (something along those lines).


I can't believe some of you have the nerve to complain. You won't be happy until they offer your desired setup as a "BTO" option that costs as much as a baseline MP. Get over yourselves. Seriously.

Just because Apple doesn't provide it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Jesus no wonder people hate Mac users.


I'm with you on that one and personally I love the design of the Mac Pro.
 
I agree with you 100%. I find it inconceivable that they would support a different motherboard for a single-cpu non-standard build option.

However, trying to get more information has been even less helpful. Speaking with a sales associate on the phone, I was told that no Mac CPU's are upgradable - that would be akin to trying to put a 12-cylinder engine in an 8-cylinder car. My attempts to explain that I know how computers are built and what can and can't be swapped out were met with more bad analogies.

I am almost certain that it's the same board, but am not willing to make a $2000+ gamble on it. Can anyone here recommend someone I can contact who would know for certain?
let me get back to you thursday. then i can check the replacement part lists (provided they're up in apples database at that time).
 
Which would make more of a difference...

If I'm doing work in Logic Studio, Final Cut Pro and Motion:

8 cores with standard video card
4 cores with 8800 GT?

I'm planning on bumping to 4g of ram anyway, so I have to pick between one of those configs as they're roughly the same price..
 
Half of you "pro" users sound like 10 year olds who didn't get their way.

I don't see the pro users complaining at all about enclosure not changing.

I see the gamers and the wanna be pro users complaining about that.
Pro users might not like the price or the configuration but enclosure is way down the road.
 
When I think of all the good times and productivity I've had over the last 6 months with my lovely quad 2.66... there is no doubt that the wait would not have been worth it.

Oh.. the memories... :)
 
Well first of all, games only start making use of all those cores so you'd be better off with a high speed dual core right now. The "Pro" in the name also kinda clashes with "gamer". ?

If you're a gamer get a Dell (they got some nice stuff for great prices) or build your own. Games don't really run on OSX so you'd have to install some esoteric Windows that will run poorly on those machines. If you want to use your Mac for gaming, get a Macbook pro or iMac. The Mac Pro just isn't for you, you can get a Dell gaming PC, then another better one in 18 months for the same price.

What about Apple and EA games agreement last year - they will be bringing more games to the Mac platform. This Mac Pro will suck for gaming even in boot camp. At the moment Apple has no machine on par with PC boxes you can get atm. The Mac Pro is a render box.

Think of all the younger ppl with Mac's - Apple is really missing out here. There is a limit to how many websites, itunes ripping / encoding and movies you can make. Computer gaming is a real market that Apple has chosen to leave to the PC. Also, an iMac is hardly a games machine they are using outdated graphics cards. I have read a number of forum topics on this board about gaming with them - ppl are still having to lower settings in game to increase frame rate performance. If you buy a new comp, you should be able to run the latest games at max settings. My new PC box can. Why cant Apple's??

aussie_geek
 
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